Characterization of gas-solid fluidization regimes: Using wall pressure fluctuations technique

An expression for the determination of gas-solid fluidization regimes using pressure fluctuation parameter (Kolmogorov entropy K) is developed. It is found that the developed correlation is consistent with the experimental data. The experimental data was obtained by performing experiments on the designed rectangular fluidized bed [0.2m width × 0.02m breadth × 1m height] operated under ambient conditions and under different fluidization regimes. The spherical glass beads of size range from 300μm - 500μm and air as a fluidizing medium was used for the experimentation. The wall pressure fluctuations measurement and digital image analysis techniques were used in the experiments. The digital image analysis technique is useful for the interpretation of the dynamic fluidized bed behavior. The wall pressure fluctuations were acquisited at the intervals of 10cm above the distributor using personal computer. The literature reveals that the pressure fluctuation parameter and the standard deviation are the two useful criteria for the prediction of the fluidization regimes. The pressure fluctuation parameter is calculated under different fluidization regimes. The results were also analyzed using the existing correlations. It was found that the standard deviation of the wall pressure fluctuations is useful for the delineation of fluidization regimes.